HAMPDEN – There are soles among us who can speak volumes about the quiet secrets of our inner workings – without uttering a sound.

“The foot, of course, can give you a good idea of what is going on with someone,” said certified massage therapist Dorothy Lippincott of Hampden.

The foot and other body parts such as the iris, hands, ear or tongue can provide a “picture” of the whole body, and can be used to locate areas that may have medical issues she said.

Reflexology can be done on the hands as well as the feet, Lippincott said. But feet, which are usually covered, are more sensitive than hands.

She began her bodywork profession in the mid-1980s as a foot reflexologist, and continues to provide the therapy along with services such as craniosacral therapy and polarity.

As she worked on clients she found sore spots on their feet that “clued me in,” she said. Those who went on to consult their physicians would often find medical problems in areas indicated by the sore spots on their feet. Reflexology is not diagnostic, Lippincott emphasized, but it may be able to pinpoint a problem.

“I can recommend that someone might look into something,” Lippincott said, adding that she does not diagnose a person, nor does her training allow her to make diagnoses.

Relaxation and relief of tension and stress are far from the only benefits to reflexology, she said. The body seems to be able to release many toxins through the feet, so the therapy would be good for those who have been exposed to a lot of toxins. She also reports good success treating people with Raynaud’s syndrome, a condition that causes cold hands – even to the point of turning blue.

Foot reflexology helps circulation in the feet, strengthens the immune system, supports spinal alignment and aids the respiratory system. It can help the digestive system, as well.

As a foot reflexologist and trained polarity therapist, Lippincott knows how important it is to open up the energy channels in the feet.

“Stimulating reflexes on the feet can help release blocks that interfere with the flow of our body’s energy. With a balanced flow of energy, our bodies can maintain vibrant good health,” Lippincott said.

An obvious cleansing effect may occur following a session, she said. It is important to drink a lot of water after a treatment, which helps to release the toxins.

A broken foot or ankle, or an open wound or infection in the foot would preclude therapy on the compromised extremity. Pregnancy requires the therapist to avoid areas on the foot and lower leg that could trigger premature labor. Certain cancers might prompt a talk with the doctor before having a session. Even so, the contraindications are few, Lippincott said.

“It’s a pretty safe modality to use,” she said.

Lippincott attended three long-weekend seminars in the 1980s in Worcester, Mass., and then became certified. Bangor resident and reflexologist Charlotte Austin, now deceased, served as her mentor, providing feedback while Lippincott worked on her feet.

The method of foot reflexology Lippincott uses is based on that founded by Eunice Ingham Stopfel who worked in Florida in the 1930s and traveled and wrote several books on reflexology for many years.

Lippincott has a foot reflexology chart mapped by Ingham Stopfel, indicating the different parts of the body which correspond to specific areas on the foot.

“You never stop learning once you get into something like this,” she said.

More information on reflexology may be obtained by contacting Dorothy Lipincott at 862-6454.